The Boehringer Ingelheim employee study (Part 2): 10-year cardiovascular diseases risk estimation

Risk prediction models for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A systematic assessment with particular reference to Qatar

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a common disease in the State of Qatar and results in considerable morbidity, impairment of quality of life and mortality. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) is currently used in Qatar to identify those at high risk of ASCVD. However, it is unclear if this is the optimal ASCVD risk prediction model for use in Qatar's ethnically diverse population.

Aims: This systematic review aimed to identify, assess the methodological quality of and compare the properties of established ASCVD risk prediction models for the Qatari population.

Methods: Two reviewers performed head-to-head comparisons of established ASCVD risk calculators systematically. Studies were independently screened according to predefined eligibility criteria and critically appraised using Prediction Model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool. Data were descriptively summarized and narratively synthesized with reporting of key statistical properties of the models.

Results: We identified 20,487 studies, of which 41 studies met our eligibility criteria. We identified 16 unique risk prediction models. Overall, 50% (n = 8) of the risk prediction models were judged to be at low risk of bias. Only 13% of the studies (n = 2) were judged at low risk of bias for applicability, namely, PREDICT and QRISK3.Only the PREDICT risk calculator scored low risk in both domains.

Conclusions: There is no existing ASCVD risk calculator particularly well suited for use in Qatar's ethnically diverse population. Of the available models, PREDICT and QRISK3 appear most appropriate because of their inclusion of ethnicity. In the absence of a locally derived ASCVD for Qatar, there is merit in a formal head-to-head comparison between PCE, which is currently in use, and PREDICT and QRISK3.

Telemedical coaching for weight loss in overweight employees: a three-armed randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

We examined the effect of a telemedical coaching (TMC) programme accompanied with or without telemonitoring on weight loss in an occupational healthcare setting with a three-armed randomised controlled trial (NCT01837134 'Pre-results').

METHODS

Overweight employees (n=104, body mass index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m2) were invited by their medical corporate department and randomised into either a TMC group (n=34) or in one of the two control groups (C1, n=34; C2, n=36). TMC and C1 were equipped with telemonitoring devices (scales and pedometers) at baseline, and C2 after 6 months. Telemonitoring devices automatically transferred data into a personalised online portal. TMC was coached with weekly care calls in months 3-6 and monthly calls from months 7 to 12. C2 had a short coaching phase in months 6-9. C1 received no further support. After the 12-month intervention phase, participants could take advantage of further company health promotion offers. Follow-up data were determined after 12 months of intervention and per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses were performed. Weight change was followed up after 36 months. Estimated treatment difference (ETD) was calculated for weight reduction.

RESULTS

ETD from TMC to C1 (-3.6 kg 95% CI -7.40 to -0.1, p=0.047) and to C2 (-4.2 kg [-7.90 to -0.5], p=0.026) was significantly different at the 12 months follow-up in the PP-analysis, but lost significance in the ITT analysis. All groups reduced weight after 12 months (-3.3 to -8.4 kg [5.5-10.3 kg], all p<0.01) and sustained it during the 36 months follow-up (-4.8 to -7.8 kg [5.6-12.8 kg], all p<0.01). ETD analyses revealed no difference between all groups neither in the PP nor in the ITT analysis at the 3 years follow-up. All groups reduced BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and improved eating behaviour in the PP or ITT analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

TMC and/or telemonitoring support long-term weight reduction in overweight employees. The combination of both interventions points towards an additional effect.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01837134.